On Saturday, 20 September, motorists on the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) witnessed a striking sight, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, at 100 years old, confidently behind the wheel of the Proton e.MAS 7. Even as he approaches a century in age, the former Prime Minister looked comfortable and in command of Proton’s first mass-market electric vehicle.
Drivers who recognised him along the highway waved in respect, a small gesture reflecting the enduring admiration many Malaysians hold for him.
For Tun Mahathir, this was more than just a leisurely drive. His connection with Proton runs deep, going back to the 1980s when he spearheaded the national car project as part of his wider vision for Malaysia’s industrialisation.
It was under his leadership that Proton was established in 1983, with the first Saga rolling off the line in 1985. Over the decades, he has often been seen in Proton cars, treating them not as ceremonial symbols but as everyday vehicles. That bond between statesman and carmaker has never really faded.
Proton’s electric push continues to gain traction as the Proton e.MAS 7 has once again claimed the title of Malaysia’s number one electric vehicle for August 2025. According to the latest figures, the EV has racked up 5,811 deliveries between January and August this year, with 5,455 units sold locally and a further 356 exported to four international markets.
This milestone means the e.MAS 7 has been the country’s best-selling EV for eight consecutive months, maintaining its lead since the start of the year. Based on JPJ registration data, the car holds a 24% market share, meaning almost one in every four EVs sold in Malaysia is a Proton e.MAS 7.
Local Assembly Begins in Tanjung Malim
August also marked a significant step forward for Proton with the official opening of its first dedicated EV plant in Tanjung Malim. Up until now, the e.MAS 7 had been brought in as a completely built-up (CBU) model from China to keep up with strong early demand. With the new facility now operational, Proton will soon begin local assembly of the model, making the e.MAS 7 the brand’s first CKD EV.
After a long, quiet time, Great Wall Motor’s electric sub-brand Ora is back with something new. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed details of the brand’s latest SUV, the Ora Cat – the first all-new model to wear the Ora badge since 2022.
Ora, established in 2018 under Great Wall Motor, quickly made a name for itself with quirky, affordable EVs. But a string of missteps left the brand struggling. The launch of the Black Cat and White Cat proved unprofitable, while ventures like the Ole Sharing service drained resources. Things didn’t improve in 2022 when Ora introduced the Ballet Cat, styled like a modern Beetle, and the Lightning Cat (also called Ora 07), which borrowed its look from the Porsche Panamera. Both landed in small, niche markets and did little to help sales.
Since then, Ora has been unusually quiet. Between January and August 2025, sales dwindled to just 14,781 units in China, according to China EV DataTracker. The slump pushed Great Wall Motor to rethink its strategy. This summer, the company announced plans to reignite the brand with four new models. The Ora Cat is the first step in that comeback.
Mercedes-Benz GLC sentiasa menjadi salah satu SUV paling laris jenama tersebut. Kini, model popular itu melangkah ke era baharu dengan pelancaran versi elektrik sepenuhnya yang dilengkapi teknologi EQ. Buat pertama kalinya, GLC ditawarkan sebagai kenderaan elektrik penuh (EV) di Amerika Syarikat, bersedia untuk bersaing dengan pesaing utamanya seperti Audi Q6, Porsche Macan Electric, dan BMW iX3.
Model elektrik ini dikuasakan bateri 94 kWh dengan output sehingga 483 hp, sedikit lebih tinggi daripada BMW iX3. Ia bukan sahaja berkuasa, malah juga praktikal, dengan keupayaan menarik beban sehingga 2,400 kg apabila dilengkapi dengan cangkuk penunda pilihan.
Dari segi jarak, GLC elektrik mampu bergerak sehingga 713 km (WLTP) dengan sekali cas. Berbekalkan teknologi 800 volt, ia menyokong pengecasan pantas 330 kW, membolehkan penambahan jarak sekitar 303 km hanya dalam 10 minit.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has long been one of the brand’s best-selling SUVs, a go-to choice for those who want something more polished. Now, it steps into a new chapter with the introduction of the fully electric GLC with EQ Technology.
This latest addition marks the first time the GLC has been offered as a pure EV in the US market, setting it up against serious competition such as the Audi Q6, Porsche Macan Electric, and BMW’s recently revealed iX3.
Powering the new GLC is a 94.0 kWh lithium-ion battery, which in its most powerful form produces up to 483hp—slightly edging past the iX3’s 463hp. It’s not just about straight-line power either; Mercedes has ensured that the SUV delivers practicality, with a towing capacity of 2,400kg when fitted with the optional tow hitch.
Smart, yang kini diuruskan bersama oleh Geely dan Mercedes-Benz, telah mengesahkan pelancaran model terbaharunya, Smart #2, menjelang hujung tahun 2026. Model dua pintu dengan dua tempat duduk ini bakal menjadi pewaris moden kepada Smart ForTwo, khusus untuk kegunaan bandar.
Dari segi saiz, Smart #2 mengekalkan konsep kompak seperti ForTwo terdahulu dengan panjang sekitar 2.7 meter dan jarak roda di bawah 1.9 meter. Jika dahulu reka bentuk ForTwo terkenal dengan gaya bulat dan ceria, kali ini Smart tampil lebih tegas dengan rekaan berkotak, garis badan lebih tajam, tiang belakang condong, serta tambahan spoiler bumbung. Rekaan keseluruhan akan dihasilkan oleh pasukan reka bentuk Mercedes-Benz bagi memastikan keserasian dengan siri model Smart “#” yang lain.
Walaupun butiran teknikal masih terhad, Smart #2 hampir pasti hadir sebagai kenderaan elektrik sepenuhnya. Model ini dijangka menggunakan pelantar baharu yang berasaskan Global Electric Architecture (GEA) milik Geely, iaitu platform yang telah terbukti melalui beberapa model EV berjaya di pasaran China.
Lotus Cars Malaysia telah mengemas kini rangkaian model elektrik sepenuhnya, Eletre, sekali gus memberikan penawaran yang lebih jelas serta pilihan prestasi yang lebih luas. Harga permulaan kini ditetapkan pada RM499,000, menandakan fasa baharu buat Lotus dalam meneroka pasaran kenderaan elektrik (EV) premium.
Selaras dengan strategi penamaan global terbaharu, model-model tersebut kini dikenali sebagai Eletre 600 dan Eletre 900, merujuk terus kepada kuasa yang ditawarkan. Pendekatan ini memudahkan pelanggan memahami tahap prestasi setiap varian, sama seperti kaedah penamaan pada model baharu Lotus Emeya.
Pelanggan turut boleh memilih pakej yang menekankan aspek pemanduan sporty atau lebih berorientasikan keselesaan dan kemewahan, mengikut cita rasa masing-masing. Dengan cara ini, proses pemilihan menjadi lebih ringkas tetapi masih mengekalkan tahap penyesuaian yang tinggi.
Lotus Cars Malaysia, managed by Lotus Karz Sdn. Bhd. under the Karrus Automotive Group, has unveiled the updated Lotus Eletre range, signalling a new chapter for the brand’s first all-electric hyper-SUV. The revised line-up not only introduces simplified model names and equipment packages but also enhances performance benchmarks for the premium EV segment, with pricing now starting from RM499,000.
In line with Lotus’ global naming strategy, the refreshed Eletre range adopts a clearer designation system, with models now identified as the Eletre 600 and Eletre 900, denoting their respective power outputs. The move follows the same philosophy introduced with the Lotus Emeya, ensuring customers can easily distinguish performance levels across the brand’s expanding portfolio.
Each variant of the Eletre is offered with a curated package, giving buyers the freedom to select a sport-oriented specification or a more comfort and technology-focused configuration. This approach simplifies the buying process while retaining the flexibility for personalisation, ensuring customers can tailor their vehicle to match individual preferences and lifestyles.
Smart Malaysia telah mendedahkan model SUV elektrik terbaharu mereka, smart #5, yang dijangka dilancarkan tidak lama lagi di pasaran tempatan. Diletakkan lebih tinggi berbanding model #1 dan #3, SUV baharu ini menawarkan ruang lebih luas, prestasi lebih mantap serta kemampuan jarak pemanduan lebih jauh, sekali gus menjadikannya pesaing utama dalam segmen EV premium.
Model ini akan ditawarkan dalam tiga varian: Pro, Premium dan BRABUS.
Varian Pro
Sebagai varian asas, smart #5 Pro hadir dengan bateri 76 kWh yang dipadankan dengan motor tunggal pacuan belakang berkuasa 335hp dan tork 373Nm. Pecutan 0–100 km/j dicapai dalam 6.9 saat, dengan kelajuan maksimum 200 km/j. Jarak pemanduan pula dianggarkan 465 km (WLTP). Antara kelengkapan termasuk tempat duduk PU leather, pintu but berkuasa, sistem audio 9 pembesar suara, pencahayaan ambien 256 warna serta ruang but 630 liter (boleh ditingkatkan sehingga 1,530 liter).
Premium
Varian Premium
Versi Premium dipertingkatkan dengan bateri 100 kWh, membolehkan jarak pemanduan sehingga 590 km. Motor tunggalnya menghasilkan kuasa 358hp dan tork 373Nm, dengan pecutan 0–100 km/j dalam 6.5 saat. Ruang dalaman pula lebih mewah dengan balutan kulit Nappa, sistem audio 20 pembesar suara Sennheiser dengan Dolby Atmos, serta paparan head-up dengan realiti terimbuh (AR). Ciri tambahan lain termasuk pemegang pintu tersembunyi berlampu, pengecas wayarles berkembar, serta pengecasan AC lebih pantas pada kadar 22 kW.
Varian BRABUS
Bagi mereka yang mengutamakan prestasi, edisi BRABUS menawarkan konfigurasi pacuan semua roda dengan dua motor elektrik, menjana 636hp dan 710Nm tork. Hasilnya, ia mampu memecut 0–100 km/j hanya dalam 3.8 saat, dengan kelajuan maksimum 210 km/j. Varian ini turut hadir dengan suspensi sport, rim aloi 21 inci, angkup brek merah serta bunyi enjin simulasi. Menariknya, ia menyokong sistem pengecasan 800V, membolehkan cas 10–80% disiapkan dalam hanya 15 minit menggunakan pengecas DC 400 kW.
Teknologi & Keselamatan
Smart #5 dilengkapi 26 sensor termasuk kamera, radar dan unit ultrasonik yang dipacu cip Nvidia OrinX. Ini menyokong sistem bantuan pemandu L2+, termasuk Smart Pilot Assist, Auto Lane Change Assist serta parkir automatik. Dari segi keselamatan, model ini dibangunkan untuk mencapai piawaian penarafan 5 bintang NCAP Eropah dan China, dengan penggunaan 82% keluli berketahanan tinggi serta kekakuan torsi 42,300 Nm/deg, melebihi standard segmennya.
Rekaan & Ruang Dalaman
Dengan jarak roda panjang 2,900 mm, kabin menawarkan ruang luas serta fleksibiliti. Tempat duduk belakang boleh direbahkan sepenuhnya, menjadikan kabin sesuai untuk mod rehat atau tidur. Ruang simpanan mencecah sehingga 1,530 liter, ditambah dengan ruang hadapan (frunk) berkapasiti 72 liter. Suasana premium ditingkatkan dengan penggunaan kemasan kayu asli, cermin kalis bunyi laminasi, bumbung kaca panorama dengan penutup berkuasa serta kulit Nappa.
Pasaran Malaysia
Apabila dilancarkan, smart #5 bakal bersaing dengan SUV elektrik premium seperti Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Zeekr 7X dan Xpeng G6. Bagi varian BRABUS pula, sasaran pembeli adalah mereka yang mempertimbangkan model berprestasi seperti BMW iX3 dan MINI Countryman SE.
Dengan tiga varian yang ditawarkan — daripada praktikal hingga berprestasi tinggi — smart #5 dijangka menjadi antara SUV EV premium paling serba boleh yang akan memasuki pasaran Malaysia.
Smart Malaysia has given a first look at its new flagship electric SUV, the smart #5, ahead of its expected market launch. Positioned above the #1 and #3 models, the new SUV promises more space, stronger performance, and long-range capability, placing it directly in competition with established premium EVs.
The smart #5 will be offered in three versions: Pro, Premium and BRABUS.
The entry-level Pro comes with a 76 kWh battery and a single rear motor producing 335hp and 373Nm. It does the 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h, while range is claimed at 465 km (WLTP). Features include PU leather seats, a powered tailgate, 9-speaker audio system and 256-colour ambient lighting. Boot space is 630L, expandable to 1,530L with the rear seats folded.
Premium
The Premium raises the bar with a 100 kWh battery for up to 590 km of range. Output is 358hp, 373Nm of torque, and it accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. Inside, there’s Nappa leather upholstery, a 20-speaker Sennheiser system with Dolby Atmos, and an augmented reality head-up display. The variant also gains illuminated concealed door handles, dual wireless chargers and faster 22 kW AC charging.
At the top of the range, the BRABUS edition delivers true performance credentials. Dual motors provide 636hp and 710Nm, cutting the 0–100 km/h time down to 3.8 seconds and pushing top speed to 210 km/h. It also comes with sport suspension, larger 21-inch alloys, red brake callipers and simulated engine sound. The BRABUS uses an 800V charging setup, allowing a 10–80% charge in just 15 minutes with a 400 kW DC charger.
BRABUS
The smart #5 is equipped with 26 sensors, including cameras, radars and ultrasonic units, powered by Nvidia OrinX chips. This supports L2+ advanced driver assistance systems, including Smart Pilot Assist, Auto Lane Change Assist and autonomous parking.
Safety has also been prioritised, with the model designed to meet both European and Chinese 5-star NCAP standards. The body uses 82% high-strength steel and achieves a torsional rigidity of 42,300 Nm/deg, well above segment norms.
A long 2,900 mm wheelbase ensures generous cabin space. The rear seats offer reclining functions and modes that can transform the cabin into nap or bed layouts. Luggage capacity extends up to 1,530L, complemented by a 72L frunk.
Premium materials such as real wood trims, laminated soundproof glass and Nappa leather feature throughout, while a panoramic glass roof with a powered sunshade adds to the sense of space.
In Malaysia, the smart #5 will compete with models such as the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Zeekr 7X and Xpeng G6, while the BRABUS edition will target buyers looking at performance EVs like the BMW iX3 and MINI Countryman SE.
With three variants on offer, ranging from practical to high-performance, the smart #5 is shaping up to be one of the most versatile premium EV SUVs entering the Malaysian market.
